Global Scans · Design · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Design thinking will increasingly play a key role in improving systems and customer experiences. Companies will re-learn their approach to innovation and embrace human-centred design principles. Designers will begin to apply knowledge of human interaction, specifically in the area of how we earn trust and respect, to AI systems.

• [New] Designing with future years in mind, including the incorporation of aging-in-place elements and prioritization of durable, long-lasting pieces, will also be cornerstones of 2026 home decor trends. The Orlando Advocate
• [New] The Plan for London was launched in May last year and will involve the closure of no fewer than 11 buildings by 2030, relocating over 14,000 civil servants, and delivering annual savings of £94 million. GOV.UK
• [New] A well-designed digital euro could strengthen Europe's financial autonomy. FinExtra
• [New] In 2026, brands are using AI to design packaging more efficiently, predict consumer demand, and reduce waste. Packpaa
• [New] By 2026, biophilic design will have evolved well beyond decorative greenery. Design Middle East
• [New] The coming year will bring continued innovation in brand logos, as the long-held belief that marks must be fixed and rule-bound continues to give way to more flexible identity systems. Packaging Digest
• [New] Rather than chase screen-heavy headsets, Apple is reportedly building AI-driven smart glasses designed around context, not displays, with production timelines pointing toward late 2026 and a 2027 consumer launch. Next Reality
• [New] In 5-10 years, materials will be expected to be not only high-performance, but also safer by design and more environmentally responsible, including higher bio-content systems and greener chemistries that reduce hazards and waste. 3D Printing Industry
• [New] In 2026, brands will increasingly run creator programs designed for citation. AIR
• [New] Smartphone manufacturers are dedicating substantial R&D resources to neural processing architecture, understanding that AI capabilities will define competitive positioning for the next decade. The Cornea Impression | The Latest For The World Of Car
• [New] Positive Sentiment: Autodesk reportedly is investing $200 million in spatial AI model creator World Labs - a strategic move that strengthens its AI and generative-design capabilities, supporting longer-term product differentiation and revenue expansion potential. MarketBeat
• [New] Autodesk is reportedly investing $200 million in spatial AI model creator World Labs to bolster its AI and generative-design capabilities, a strategic move that could support longer-term product differentiation and revenue growth. MarketBeat
• [New] Over the next few years, we expect higher automation in well-understood design spaces, but always guided by engineers who understand the underlying physics and architecture. ELE Times
• [New] Moor Insights & Strategy's Moorhead noted that if quantum scales, it will likely play a complementary role, adding a new class of special infrastructure within data centers and shifting facility design toward quantum pods which come with their own power and thermal needs. CNBC
• [New] Today's investment will see innovative defence platforms designed, built and tested in Wales, helping to power autonomous systems across land, sea and air. GOV.UK
• [New] As an early proof point, Hanwha Ocean will support the design and construction of a Training and Recruitment Vessel that Ontario Shipyards plans to begin building in 2026. gCaptain
• [New] Ransomware operations specifically designed to target critical enterprise applications such as ERP systems will emerge in 2026, forcing organizations to make quick ransom payments and sacrifice business resilience. Ermer and Suter PLLC
• Western Kentucky University has embarked on a forward-looking plan to enhance and modernize its on-campus living experience, launching a multi-phase transformation that will deliver new and reimagined residential communities designed for student comfort, connection and success. Western Kentucky University
• In contrast to the EU position, following the WaterRower decision in the UK, copyright protection will only be available to designs or works of applied art which have artistic character, requiring a certain degree of artistic quality. Mishcon de Reya LLP
• One of the most significant advancements in recent years has been the creation of the Multi-Domain Test Force, a team designed to integrate air, land, sea, space, and cyber elements into test campaigns that truly reflect how future conflicts will be fought. Simple Flying
• The LTAMDS radars, developed by Raytheon, are designed to enhance air and missile detection capabilities, allowing for 360-degree threat assessment. Maritime Fairtrade
• Under the UK's Online Safety Act, the EU's AI Act and codes of practice and the EU Digital Services Act, platforms are legally required to identify, assess and mitigate foreseeable risks arising from the design and operation of their services. The Conversation
• Generative AI tools in construction could be worth $5bn by 2029, driven by tools that catalyze design, documentation and information search. Verdict

Last updated: 02 March 2026